Hyderabad: Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha on Saturday said the Telangana government will rapidly expand dialysis centres to meet the state’s growing kidney disease burden.
Lifestyle diseases outpacing infections
At a review meeting at the Aarogyasri Trust Office, the minister said lifestyle diseases now outnumber infectious ones. “Earlier, the system was designed to fight infectious diseases. Now we face BP, diabetes, kidney failure, heart disease, and cancer—even in villages,” he said.
Officials present included Health Secretary Christina Z Chongthu, Aarogyasri CEO Uday Kumar, TSMSIDC MD Phanindra Reddy, and TVVP Commissioner Ajay Kumar. They informed the minister that the number of dialysis patients has grown from 1,230 in 2009 to over 12,000 today.
Focus on prevention and infrastructure
Damodar Raja Narasimha voiced concern over the surge in kidney and cancer cases. He urged officials to study international health models and adapt Telangana’s systems accordingly.
“We need to prioritise prevention, early diagnosis, and effective treatment of non-communicable diseases,” he said. He also stressed the need for public awareness campaigns on healthy living.
Dialysis centres every 25 km
The minister directed that no patient should have to travel long distances or wait hours for dialysis. “There should be a centre every 20 to 25 kilometres,” he said. He instructed the health secretary to draft proposals based on patient load and population spread.
He noted that dialysis patients also suffer mental and physical strain. While the government provides financial support, he said this alone isn’t enough. “Free treatment must be available close to every patient’s home,” he added.
Current facilities and expansion plans
The minister pointed to the creation of NCD clinics and cancer daycare centres. Since the Congress government came to power, 16 new dialysis centres have been added, bringing the total to 102.
Officials reported that 7,550 patients receive treatment at these centres, while another 5,060 access free dialysis at private hospitals through Aarogyasri.
ఒక్కప్పుడు అంటువ్యాధుల సమస్య ఎక్కువగా ఉండేదని.. ఇప్పుడు జీవనశైలి వ్యాధుల సమస్య ఎక్కువైందని.. ఇందుకు అనుగుణంగా వైద్య వ్యవస్థలో కూడా మార్పులు రావాల్సిన అవసరం ఉందని ఆరోగ్యశాఖ మంత్రి దామోదర్ రాజనర్సింహ అన్నారు.
రాష్ట్రంలో కొత్త డయాలసిస్ సెంటర్ల ఏర్పాటుపై ఆరోగ్యశాఖ ఉన్నతాధికారులతో… pic.twitter.com/RpoColvBAJ
— Damodar Raja Narasimha (@DamodarCilarapu) September 20, 2025
